How Do I Buy Weed in Canada?

Have you heard the news? In about a week, Canada will become the second country to legalize recreational cannabis nationwide! Starting October 17, 2018, Canadian residents of a legal age will be able to walk right into a store and purchase cannabis products – all thanks to the landmark law, the Cannabis Act. According to the new law, Canadian residents will be allowed to purchase up to 30 grams of dried cannabis flower. At first glance, claiming that recreational weed is now legal in Canada seems pretty straightforward, but the law is actually pretty complicated. In fact, the cannabis laws in Canada went from eight to 45! This leaves many cannabis users wondering, “How do I buy weed in Canada?”

Understanding Canada’s Cannabis Act

Once recreational cannabis is legal in Canada, the exact answer to “How do I buy weed in Canada?” will vary depending on which province you are in. The process is slightly similar to the way the United States has handled recreational cannabis – with each province in charge of setting its own rules and regulations around the sale, consumption, and distribution of cannabis.

In short, here is the quick breakdown of the law:

Purchase Limit: Varies based on provincial or territorial restrictions, check out the specifications by province below

Sales and Use Tax: $1 per gram on cannabis costing up to $10 per gram. Expensive strains will have a flat tax of 10 percent

Gifting Marijuana: A person can gift up to 30 grams of dried cannabis flower to another adult ages 18-21+ depending on the provincial or territorial restrictions

Possession Limit: 30 grams of dried cannabis flower

Personal Marijuana Plant Count Limit: 4 Plants per household, not per person using licensed seeds or seedlings from licensed suppliers

Social Use Law: Marijuana can be consumed in establishments that have been licensed for such activity

Making Cannabis Products: Canadians can make legal cannabis-containing products at home, such as food and drinks, provided that dangerous organic solvents are not used in making them. (And remember, concentrates and edibles are still illegal!)

Driving with Marijuana: A person can drive with marijuana in the car as long as it is properly sealed and stowed away in a place where the driver cannot access it. You are not allowed to drive while under the influence of any drugs, including marijuana. Cannabis must not be found within the blood within two hours of driving

Rules for delivery and online purchasing: Varies by province, see below

If you are living in British Columbia, you will see a more flexible version of cannabis sales there. The province has set the legal age at 19+, and the cannabis shops will be a mixture of privately owned businesses and government-owned shops. This province will also allow dispensaries to sell dried flower online. Cannabis delivery is also allowed, your best bet is to look for a local dispensary and see if that is a service they offer.

If you are thinking the chill new Canadian cannabis laws mean you will be able to freely take your joints across the border into Washington, think again. The border laws remain the same – no marijuana transport allowed, even though it’s legal in both areas.

Buying Weed in Alberta

If you live in Alberta, your options for buying cannabis will be pretty straightforward. You just have to be 18 or older and find yourself a government-licensed store.

Alberta will also have a pretty awesome online sales and delivery service. Starting October 17, 2018 Alberta residents will be able to buy flower and oil online and get it delivered right to their door. And yes, the online service will have an age-verification process to prevent sales to minors. (In fact, all of Canada will have very strict laws for selling cannabis to minors – it’s one of the safety measures built into the Cannabis Act.).

Just keep in mind, only the dried flower will be recreationally legal – not cannabis vape pensor cannabis concentrates. If you want those products, here’s a list of medical cannabis dispensaries in Alberta:

Buying Weed in Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan decided to set the legal age of cannabis consumption at 19 and older and will be allowing private retailers as opposed to government-run retailers. The private retailers will also be permitted to have both online sales and delivery services. Sweet!

Here are a few cannabis dispensaries in Saskatchewan you can choose from:

Buying Weed in Manitoba

In Manitoba, residents 19 and older will be able to purchase legal recreational cannabis from both online stores and privately run dispensaries. The only thing that sets Manitoba apart from the other provinces is that residents will not be allowed to grow pot at home. It is unclear whether dispensaries will still be allowed to sell cannabis seeds.

Buying Weed in Ontario

If you have a favorite medical cannabis community in Ontario, you will probably need to keep your medical marijuana card active! According to this article by AFAR magazine, Ontario residents who want recreational pot must get it from government-run stores or online. This is a great example of why you may not want the government too involved in your cannabis sales – it is unclear what will happen to the many medical cannabis retailers in Ontario. (Just look at the list below, there are quite a few locations there!) One thing that might keep them alive is the fact that they will be your only resource for concentrates, edibles, and vape pens.

Buying Weed in Quebec

Recreational cannabis in Quebec will be very strict – one of the strictest provinces in Canada. Like any others, users must be over the age of 21, but the only place you will be able to purchase cannabis through the Société Québécoise du Cannabis. There will be a few of these government stores erected around the province, and they will also sell products online.

Remember though, the government-run recreational shops will only carry edible and topical cannabis oil and dried flower. If you want different types of edibles (like tasty gummies and infused cannabis drinks) and cannabis concentrates, you will have to visit one of these medical marijuana stores:

Buying Weed in New Brunswick

In this province, the New Brunswick Liquor Corporation will have a monopoly on cannabis sales. Cannabis NB was actually opened as a pilot store before the Cannabis Act passed. It is known for it’s sleek, clean design and the products are organized according to the experience they produce. But, you can only enjoy your product at home – smoking will be banned in public places.

Buying Weed in Nova Scotia

In Nova Scotia, residents 19+ will be allowed to buy cannabis at government-run liquor stores and from online stores. Similar to how things will be run in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation will be the only one selling legal recreational cannabis.

If you have your medical card, you will still be able to purchase from one of the following locations:

Buying Weed in Newfoundland and Labrador

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador over the age of 19 will purchase their legal recreational cannabis from licensed private retailers. Apparently, the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation will run all sales and distribution. Those who buy it must smoke at home though because no cannabis smoking will be allowed in public.

How Do I Buy Weed in Canada as a Foreigner?

According to Lonely Planet, the new recreational cannabis laws in Canada will be great for marijuana tourism. Several services in places like British Columbia and Ontario are popping up to shuttle visitors around to difference cannabis vape lounges, bars, spas, and cafes. Just remember, any marijuana purchased during your trip has to be consumed or left behind when you leave!

Jennifer is a writer and editor in Northern CA who specializes in SEO copywriting, long-form content, ghostwriting, and e-books. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Sonoma State University and has worked with several cannabis professionals, business book publishers, marketing agencies, and design firms to produce everything from SEO website copy to business books.

Email

Save Money On Cannabis!

By submitting this request, I agree to receive deal alerts through text message and email from Leafbuyer. Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

Categories

Categories

DISCLAIMER:
Content on this site is for reference purposes and is not intended to substitute for advice given by a physician, pharmacist, or other licensed health-care professional. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard the advice of a medical professional, or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website. You should not use this information as self-diagnosis or for treating a health problem or disease.

Information and statements regarding cannabis and hemp products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition. Leafbuyer.com assumes no liability for inaccuracies or misstatements about products.

Save money, subscribe.

Get Exclusive Local Cannabis Deals delivered to your phone and email!!

By checking the box and signing up, you consent to receive informational and marketing text messages from or on behalf of sent using an automated dialer to the wireless number you provided above. Your consent is not required to make a purchase. You also agree to receive promotional emails.

You may opt-out of texts any time by replying STOP. You may opt-out of emails by clicking the UNSUBSCRIBE link in any promotional email you receive from us or by replying to any promotional email you receive from us and including UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Sign Me Up

Thanks for signing up for the Deal Alerts.

By checking the box and signing up, you consent to receive cannabis-related informational and marketing text messages from Leafbuyer - including regarding its marketing partners - sent using an automated dialer to the wireless number you provided above. Your consent is not required to make a purchase. You also agree to receive promotional emails from Leafbuyer.

You may opt-out of texts any time by replying STOP. You may opt-out of emails by clicking the UNSUBSCRIBE link in any promotional email you receive from us or by replying to any promotional email you receive from us and including UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Sign Me Up

Thanks for signing up for the Leafbuyer Deal Alerts.

Leafbuyer complies with state laws regarding access to marijuana-related products. To continue, you must be 21 years of age or older or hold a valid medical marijuana card?

Show this Leafbuyer deal at the dispensary checkout to redeem your discount and enjoy!

Qty:

This advertisement is for customer reference only and has no value and is not intended to be exchanged for any product. Leafbuyer Technologies, Inc. is not responsible for the content of any advertisement. All advertisements are the sole responsibility of the vendor publishing the advertisement. If an advertisement is not valid, please contact the vendor directly as errors may have been made in the creation of the advertisement. This advertisement is only intended to be viewed by those of legal age and in the state/local area where the product is legally open for sale. Additionally, all state and local laws and restrictions apply to all advertisements. You must be 21 years of age or older to view this site and any advertisements on this site. Void where prohibited.